In an interview, Raees director Rahul Dholakia revealed that Mahira Khan was cast in the film because of budget constraints with Bollywood actresses. He said that Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, and Anushka Sharma were too expensive for the role of Aasiya. This role required someone in their 30s, fluent in Hindi, and preferably with good command of Urdu.
At that time, Bollywood had only a few actresses who could fit the bill. But with Kareena, Deepika, and Anushka’s high fees, Dholakia had to look elsewhere. He considered other options like Sonam Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, but it didn’t work out.
That’s when Mahira Khan, a Pakistani actress, came into the picture. Mahira was already in India for promotional events, and through a mutual friend, she auditioned for the role. Dholakia said that Mahira’s audition impressed him and the team, and they decided to cast her as Aasiya, Shah Rukh Khan’s wife, in the film.
Interestingly, Dholakia also said that both his and Gauri Khan’s mothers were fans of Mahira’s Pakistani dramas. Their suggestion sealed the deal.
In Raees Mahira shined, her Bollywood debut. Though this is her only Bollywood film, her Aasiya was loved in both Pakistan and India. Released in 2016, Mahira got to showcase her talent globally.
